Noni Madueke's position change at Arsenal could quietly benefit Max Dowman

It is like a new signing, right?

Mikel Arteta must root for in-house solutions now as Arsenal came up short in their quest for an elite left-wing addition. Sorry Tzolis.

That failure leaves them light up top for 2026/27, with Tzolis being the sole new name in the Gunners attack and both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard departing for fresh pasture over the summer break.

Ethan Nwaneri’s loan just added insult to injury.

One answer could be to field Noni Madueke at LW as, despite joining to help Bukayo Saka, the £52m man has played on the left flank before. Eberechi Eze will also provide cover there like he did against Aston Villa on Monday night.

Noni Madueke could have a new position at Arsenal which will quietly benefit Max Dowman

And it might all lead to a lovely, quiet benefit on the opposite side: Max Dowman may now enjoy more chances to impress in an Arsenal shirt.

The 16-year-old was something of a revelation last year, performing well versus Southampton in the FA Cup and especially against Mansfield Town in the fifth round, the latter performance earning him the Man of the Match award.

Let us not forget, too, his excellent cameo when Everton visited back in March and the historic goal that sealed an important league win.

There is a natural desire to urge caution, of course. Some will bemoan the speed with which fans try to anoint a bright young talent as a saviour, and it is perhaps unfair to expect more from him now just because Arsenal failed in the market.

But all the signs suggest Dowman is ready to go: he has trained with the first team for a few years at this point and, as mentioned above, he was trusted to make an impact – and delivered – during that crunch Everton match in the run-in.

His influence on that match stretched far beyond the dramatic injury-time strike, and pressure does not come much bigger than in a must-win Premier League game that is hanging in the balance with 15 minutes left.

There is also the small matter of the transfer window now being shut; Dowman has no choice but to be primed for action.

It is an awful lot to ask of someone so young, yet he might consider it a golden opportunity himself and fans know he is good enough to seize it.

If it brings out the best in Madueke too then Arsenal are laughing.

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